Based on the case results listed below, The Grossman Law Firm has secured truck and commercial vehicle accident settlements ranging from $300,000 to $1,980,000 for clients across New Jersey. These cases involve tractor trailers, dump trucks, commercial vans, minibuses, and other large vehicles.
Truck accidents tend to cause more severe injuries than standard car crashes. The size and weight of commercial vehicles create greater impact force. These cases also involve complex liability questions, including driver negligence, company oversight, and vehicle maintenance.
Below are real settlement results from truck and commercial vehicle accident cases handled by our firm’s truck accident lawyers.
Our Truck Accident Case Results
$1,980,000 | Minibus Ran Red Light | Passaic County, NJ
The defendant was operating a minibus and ran a red light, slamming into our client’s vehicle. All four occupants of our client’s car were severely injured.
Injuries: Multiple lumbar and cervical disc herniations, right knee ligament sprain, TMJ syndrome (across four clients)
Treatment: Eleven epidural steroid injections and three surgical procedures (combined for all four clients)
Outcome: Global settlement of $1,980,000 for all four clients.
Key Takeaway: Commercial vehicle operators who run red lights put multiple lives at risk. When multiple passengers are injured in a single crash, the combined damages can approach seven figures.
$980,000 | Commercial Vehicle Rear-End (Mother & Daughter) | Middlesex County, NJ
A mother and daughter were completely stopped when a commercial vehicle slammed into the rear of their car. The mother suffered severe multi-system injuries including urinary incontinence and depression. The daughter suffered neck and back injuries with chronic headaches.
Injuries: Mother: neck, back, shoulder injuries, multiple lumbar and cervical disc herniations and bulges, urinary incontinence, depression. Daughter: neck and back injuries, frequent headaches
Treatment: Mother: five epidural steroid injections, six surgical procedures. Daughter: two epidural steroid injections
Outcome: Settlement of $980,000.
Key Takeaway: Commercial vehicle accidents often cause more severe injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicle. Injuries affecting quality of life like incontinence and depression add substantial value to the claim.
$950,000 | Dump Truck Ran Traffic Signal | Middlesex County, NJ
A commercial dump truck ran a traffic signal on Route 18 in Old Bridge and struck the passenger side of our client’s vehicle. He suffered severe neck and back injuries with multiple disc problems.
Injuries: Multiple lumbar and cervical disc bulges and herniations
Treatment: Seven epidural steroid injections, lumbar fusion
Outcome: Settlement of $950,000.
Key Takeaway: Dump trucks running traffic signals create extremely dangerous situations. The force of a dump truck impact often causes more extensive spinal damage than a standard passenger vehicle collision.
$670,000 | Tractor Trailer Rear-End Collision | Monmouth County, NJ
Our client had come to a complete stop in traffic when a tractor trailer traveling behind him failed to stop in time and crashed into the rear of his vehicle. He suffered a broken nose and multiple disc herniations.
Injuries: Non-displaced fracture of right and left nasal bones, lumbar disc herniations, lumbar radiculopathy
Treatment: Four extensive surgical procedures including lumbar interbody fusion, lumbar laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy, and Smith Robinson Osteotomy
Experts Retained: Orthopedic spine surgeon, billing expert
Outcome: Settlement of $670,000.
Key Takeaway: Tractor trailers take much longer to stop than passenger vehicles. When a truck driver fails to maintain a safe following distance, the results can be devastating. Multiple spinal surgeries reflect that level of damage.
$500,000 | Commercial Vehicle Rear-End (During Employment) | Middlesex County, NJ
Our client was stopped at a red light during work when a commercial vehicle negligently rear-ended her. She suffered severe neck and back injuries with radiating pain, along with adjustment disorder and depression. She had to go on disability.
Injuries: Severe neck pain radiating to right shoulder and arm, severe lower back pain radiating to right leg, adjustment disorder, depression
Treatment: Conservative treatment with orthopedic care
Experts Retained: Orthopedic surgeon
Outcome: Settlement of $500,000.
Key Takeaway: Being hit by a commercial vehicle while working creates both a personal injury claim and potential workers’ compensation issues. Depression and disability caused by the accident are compensable damages.
$400,000 | Tractor Trailer Rear-End Collision | Ocean County, NJ
Our client was stopped to make a right turn when a tractor trailer struck the rear of her vehicle. She suffered disc herniations, post-concussion syndrome, chronic pain, and constant headaches.
Injuries: Cervical and lumbar disc herniations, post-concussion and chronic pain syndrome, severe neck and back pain radiating to right leg and foot, constant headaches
Treatment: Two epidural steroid injections, one lumbar spine surgery
Experts Retained: Billing expert, orthopedic surgeon
Outcome: Settlement of $400,000.
Key Takeaway: Post-concussion syndrome from truck impacts shows the extreme forces involved. Chronic headaches and radiating pain signal long-term damage that deserves full compensation.
$400,000 | Dump Truck Overturn Collision | Ocean County, NJ
A dump truck violently struck our client’s vehicle, forcing it off the road. The truck then overturned onto the car, crushing it and spilling gravel inside. Our client suffered a traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and multiple spinal injuries.
Injuries: Traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome, lumbar and cervical disc herniations, whiplash, left shoulder impingement, PTSD
Treatment: Neuropsychological counseling, six epidural steroid injections
Experts Retained: Neurosurgeon, neuropsychologist, medical billing expert, coding expert
Outcome: Global settlement of $400,000.
Key Takeaway: When a truck overturns onto a passenger vehicle, the injuries are often catastrophic. Traumatic brain injury combined with PTSD requires both medical and psychological expert testimony.
$375,000 | Commercial Vehicle Improper Lane Change | Hudson County, NJ
The defendant was operating a commercial vehicle and conducted an improper lane change, striking the rear of our client’s vehicle. Our client suffered severe cervical spine injuries requiring surgery.
Injuries: Severe and permanent cervical spine injuries
Treatment: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
Experts Retained: Neurosurgeon, crash reconstruction and biomechanics expert, pain management physician
Outcome: Settlement of $375,000.
Key Takeaway: Crash reconstruction experts can prove exactly how a commercial vehicle caused the collision. Biomechanics analysis connects the forces of impact to the specific injuries sustained.
$325,000 | Bus Sideswiped by Tractor Trailer | Union County, NJ
Our client was a passenger on a bus traveling northbound when a tractor trailer suddenly sideswiped the bus. He suffered severe lumbar spine injuries requiring spinal fusion.
Injuries: Severe and permanent lumbar spine injuries
Treatment: Lumbar laminectomy and interbody fusion
Experts Retained: Neurosurgeon
Outcome: Settlement of $325,000.
Key Takeaway: Bus passengers injured by tractor trailer drivers can pursue claims against the truck driver and trucking company. Spinal fusion surgery is a strong indicator of severe, permanent injury.
$325,000 | Commercial Vehicle Rear-End Collision | Middlesex County, NJ
The defendant was driving a commercial vehicle and struck the rear of our client’s vehicle. Our client suffered disc injuries, shoulder pain, ankle pain, and hip pain across multiple body regions.
Injuries: Lumbar HNP and disc bulge, bilateral shoulder pain, right ankle pain, left hip pain
Treatment: Four epidural steroid injections, one surgical procedure
Experts Retained: Pain management physician, neurosurgeon
Outcome: Settlement of $325,000.
Key Takeaway: Commercial vehicle collisions that cause injuries across multiple body areas show the high-force nature of the impact. Documenting every affected body part increases the total damages.
$315,000 | Commercial Vehicle Rear-End Collision | Warren County, NJ
Our client was stopped in traffic when a commercial vehicle rear-ended her. She suffered a broken nose, multiple disc injuries, an eye condition, and facial trauma.
Injuries: Non-displaced nasal bone fracture, multiple cervical and lumbar disc bulges and herniations, commotio retinae, facial trauma
Treatment: Extensive conservative therapy, functional open septorhinoplasty
Experts Retained: Neurosurgeon, otolaryngologist and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon
Outcome: Settlement of $315,000.
Key Takeaway: Facial injuries from commercial vehicle crashes add both physical and emotional damage to the claim. An ENT and facial reconstruction specialist can document the full extent of cosmetic and functional harm.
$300,000 | Tractor Trailer Collision (During Employment) | Burlington County, NJ
Our client was driving a tractor trailer for work when the defendant’s tractor trailer tried to pass him and struck the rear passenger side. The impact sent our client into an embankment. He suffered a Galeazzi fracture, a broken finger, and shoulder adhesive capsulitis.
Injuries: Galeazzi fracture (wrist), acute fracture to middle finger, right shoulder adhesive capsulitis
Treatment: Occupational therapy, open reduction internal fixation surgery with plate fixation on right wrist
Experts Retained: Orthopedic surgeon
Outcome: Settlement of $300,000.
Key Takeaway: Professional truck drivers injured by other truckers have the right to pursue personal injury claims. A Galeazzi fracture is a complex wrist injury that often requires surgical hardware and long recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions: Truck Accident Settlements in NJ
Q: What is the average truck accident settlement in New Jersey?
Truck accident settlements in New Jersey tend to be higher than standard car accident cases due to the severity of injuries caused by commercial vehicles. The Grossman Law Firm has secured truck and commercial vehicle accident settlements ranging from $300,000 to $1,980,000. Cases involving tractor trailers, dump trucks, and commercial vans that cause spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or multiple surgeries tend to produce the highest results.
Q: Can I sue the trucking company after a truck accident in NJ?
Yes. In New Jersey, you can sue both the truck driver and the trucking company. Trucking companies can be held liable under vicarious liability if the driver was acting within the scope of employment. They can also be held directly liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or vehicle maintenance. The Grossman Law Firm investigates all potential sources of liability in truck accident cases.
Q: Why are truck accident settlements higher than car accident settlements?
Truck accident settlements are often higher because commercial vehicles cause more severe injuries due to their size and weight. A fully loaded tractor trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds compared to roughly 4,000 pounds for a passenger car. The greater impact force leads to more serious injuries, longer treatment, and higher medical costs. Additionally, trucking companies often carry larger insurance policies than individual drivers.
Q: What types of commercial vehicles are involved in truck accident cases?
Commercial vehicle accident cases can involve tractor trailers (18-wheelers), dump trucks, delivery trucks, minibuses, commercial vans, box trucks, garbage trucks, and any vehicle operated for business purposes. The Grossman Law Firm has handled cases involving tractor trailers, dump trucks, minibuses, commercial vans, and other commercial vehicles across New Jersey.
